Residents who were living below the 135-meter water level in Fengdu County of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality have been moved to a newly-built town on the other side of the river.

On the northern bank of the Yangtze River, the old Fengdu town is gradually being submerged. The old buildings situated above the water level of 135 meters appeared gloomy, with cracks and mould stains on their walls.

The new township on the southern bank has a prosperous appearance with neatly arranged buildings, broad and tidy streets and thriving greenbelts.

Shen Wenbiao, the head of Fengdu County, told Xinhua that the old town had been in shambles, a mix of old and new buildings. Construction of the new town was carried out in accordance with urban planning and environmental protection guidelines.

"In the new town, public facilities such as the business district, parks and gymnasiums were built simultaneously, greatly boosting residents' standards of living," Shen said.

The new towns springing up along both sides of the Yangtze River are confirming the experts' prediction -- that the Three Gorges Project will generate not only "the difficult task" of relocating over one million people, but also opportunities and development momentum for the relocated residents.

Gao Jinbang, deputy director of the State Council Three Gorges Project Construction Committee, considers that the construction standards and styles of these new towns match those of China's well-developed coastal cities.

"Relocation has enabled local counties and cities to advance twenty years into the future," said Gao.

Built halfway up a mountain, the new township of Zhongxian County, in Chongqing Municipality, features new light-colored buildings.

According to Yuan Hong, recently relocated to the new town, the new town is much larger than the former, and it boasts convenient transportation and comprehensive public facilities. Yuan Hong's family moved from their former 10-sq.m. home near the port into anapartment measuring over 100 square meters in the new town.

Shen Yun,secretary of the Shibao Town committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) of Zhongxian County, said that the plans for the new town had included water, electricity, natural gas pipeline networks, cable television, communications facilities and a 6.5-kilometer tourist sightseeing street.

"The array of pear, peach, orange, camphor and flower orchards along the street has both economic and ornamental value," Shen said.

While adopting modern facilities, the new towns are also attempting to maintain traditional heritage through the preservation of ancient building styles.

Gao Jinbang pointed out that the construction of the new towns is of great significance not only to the relocation of local residents, but also to the long-term development of the entire reservoir area.

"It is a first step towards developing tourism, which will grow to be a pillar industry in most counties and cities along the reservoir," Gao said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2003)